Bolt has concluded its first Accelerator Program in South Africa, awarding €20,000 in funding to ten participants.
Launched in December 2024 in partnership with business academy Pranary, the program attracted over 578 applications nationwide, with Gauteng submitting the highest number. Women made up 7% of the applicant pool, an encouraging signal in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
“When we empower everyday entrepreneurs with the tools to build, we don’t just ignite businesses, we transform communities and shape the future of Africa’s mobility,” said Lerato Motsoeneng, Bolt’s Senior General Manager for South Africa. “True innovation thrives in an ecosystem where ideas are nurtured, collaboration is championed, and every voice has a seat at the table. At Bolt, we’re building more than a platform, we are cultivating a movement.”
120 drivers and couriers were chosen to join the Bolt Academy, where they received training in key areas such as market analysis, value proposition design, customer validation, and basic financial modelling. Twenty participants advanced to the final phase, where they worked closely with industry experts and mentors to refine their ideas. Their journey culminated in a live pitch event, with a panel evaluating their concepts on innovation, feasibility, and community impact.
The ten selected finalists received €2000 in seed funding and will participate in six weeks of additional mentorship to further develop their ventures. At the awards event, three individuals received special recognition for their groundbreaking contributions to innovation and entrepreneurship. The awards highlighted excellence across three key categories:
Kamogelo Modise received the Most Innovative Idea award for Lupa Township Delivery, a sustainable, cost-effective, zero-emission bicycle delivery network. It is designed to bridge the delivery gap in township communities through a community-driven model.
Vutivi Shivambu was awarded the Most Scalable Idea for Liftsearch, a ridesharing platform that connects verified passengers with verified drivers, offering safe, affordable, and convenient long-distance travel to and from rural villages.
Shannon Adams won the Best Pitch award for EXPLORE.SA.APP, a platform that links tourists with vetted drivers who also act as tour guides, enhancing travel experiences with local insights and safe transportation.
These awards celebrate creativity, growth potential, and the ability to effectively communicate visionary concepts. The winners were selected by a panel of judges based on originality, feasibility, and overall impact.
Sandras Phiri, CEO of Pranary, emphasised the importance of practical application. “These participants didn’t just sit through lectures, they built real businesses,” he said. “Our mentorship approach brought in active founders and investors to guide them in creating ventures that are not only viable but needed. These entrepreneurs are addressing genuine challenges in the transport space.”